Electrical connector socket with daughtercard ejector

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector is provided for receiving a daughtercard having an end edge formed to include a notch therein and having a plurality of conductive surfaces formed thereon. The connector includes a socket formed to include an elongated slot for receiving the daughtercard therein and including a plurality of electrical terminals for engaging the plurality of conductive surfaces formed on the daughtercard for electrically coupling the daughtercard to the socket. The connector also includes an ejector coupled to an end of the socket. The ejector includes first and second side panels defining a slot therebetween for receiving the end edge of the daughtercard therein, and first and second raised surfaces formed on the first and second side panels of the ejector, respectively, for engaging opposite sides of the daughtercard to apply a retention force directed normal to the daughtercard upon insertion of the daughtercard into the socket. The ejector also includes a locking head formed integrally with the first side panel and configured to engage the notch formed in the daughtercard to provide a vertical retention force to the daughtercard.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation of copending application Ser. No.08/748,357 filed Nov. 13, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,925, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/590,772 filed Jan. 24, 1996, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,603,625, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/298,118 filed Aug. 30, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuationof application Ser. No. 08/107,274 filed Aug. 16, 1993, now U.S. Pat.No. 5,364,282.

The present invention relates to an electrical connector socket havingan ejector mechanism for removing a daughtercard or module from thesocket. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improvedelectrical connector which provides a retention force when thedaughtercard is inserted into the socket and also permits thedaughtercard to be easily ejected from the socket when desired.

It is well known to provide electrical connector sockets, such as SingleIn-line Memory Module (SIMM) sockets, for interconnecting a firstprinted circuit board or mother board to a second printed circuit boardor daughtercard. Typically, the sockets are formed to include anelongated slot and a plurality of electrical terminals coupled to thehousing adjacent to the slot. When the daughtercard is inserted into theslot of the socket, conductive surfaces on the daughtercard engage theterminals to couple the daughtercard to the socket electrically. Theterminals are also coupled to conductive traces on the mother board sothat when the daughtercard is inserted into the socket, the daughtercardis electrically coupled to the mother board. For examples of SIMM socketconfigurations see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,264 to Tondreaultand U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,017, owned by the assignee of the presentinvention, and incorporated herein by reference.

One problem associated with conventional electrical connectors is thatit is often difficult to extract a daughtercard that is held in a socketformed in an electrical connector. It is understood that a plurality ofsockets may be located adjacent each other with daughtercards in each ofthe sockets. In such tight quarters it is often difficult for atechnician to remove a selected daughtercard from the connector socketmanually by hand or using a tool. Unless precautions are taken, thedaughtercard can be damaged during extraction of the daughtercard fromthe socket. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an ejector mechanismcoupled to the socket to facilitate ejection of the daughter card fromthe socket.

It is known to provide ejectors coupled to the sockets to assist withthe removal of daughtercards from the socket. One such ejector isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,211 to Tondreault et al. The '211patent discloses an ejector for selectively ejecting one of first andsecond daughtercards located in adjacent elongated slots of a socket.The device disclosed in the '211 patent therefore provides means forselectively ejecting first and second daughtercards in a dual-rowsocket.

The present invention provides an improved design for an ejector for asingle row socket. It is known to provide ejectors for such single rowsockets. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,097 to Billman, et al.The '097 patent discloses a connector having extraction members whichcan be lifted upwardly relative to the socket to permit a circuit boardto be withdrawn from the socket. However, it is often difficult toaccess the extraction members. A great deal of room is required beyondthe edge of the extraction members to permit a technician to grip undera ledge of the extraction members and lift. In addition, a relativelylarge amount of force must be applied to the extraction members toremove the circuit board from the socket.

A problem associated with conventional sockets is that the daughtercardtends to dislodge from the socket during handling or during motor or fanvibration. Such dislodging can cause intermittent or failed signal pathsbetween the daughtercard and the mother board.

The ejector of the present invention is specifically designed for usewith a printed circuit board or daughtercard which is formed to includea notched portion in an end edge of the daughtercard. The use of suchdaughtercards is becoming more widespread in the industry.

According to one aspect of the invention, an electrical connector isprovided for receiving a daughtercard having an end edge formed toinclude a notch therein and having a plurality of conductive surfacesformed thereon. The connector includes a socket formed to include anelongated slot for receiving the daughtercard therein and including aplurality of electrical terminals for engaging the plurality ofconductive surfaces formed on the daughtercard for electrically couplingthe daughtercard to the socket. The connector also includes an ejectorcoupled to an end of the socket. The ejector includes means for engagingopposite sides of the daughtercard upon insertion of the daughtercardinto the socket to retain the daughtercard within the socket, means forengaging the notch formed in the end edge of the daughtercard to providea further retention force to the daughtercard, and means for ejecting anend of the daughtercard adjacent the ejector out of the elongated slotupon movement of the ejector relative to the socket.

In the illustrative embodiment, the ejector includes first and secondside panels defining a slot therebetween for receiving an end edge ofthe daughtercard therein. The means for engaging opposite sides of thedaughtercard includes first and second raised surfaces formed on thefirst and second side panels of the ejector, respectively, for engagingopposite sides of daughtercard. The first and second raised surfaceseach include a ramp surface configured to engage the daughtercard and toseparate the first and second side panels upon insertion of thedaughtercard into the socket so that the first and second side panelsapply a normal retention force to opposite sides of the daughtercard.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, the means for engaging the notchincludes a locking head formed on the ejector and configured to engagethe notch formed in the end edge of the daughtercard to provide avertical retention force to the daughtercard. The locking head is formedintegrally with the first side panel.

Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment exemplifyingthe best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a socket of the present inventionincluding an elongated slot for receiving the daughtercard therein, aplurality of contacts for engaging conductive surfaces on thedaughtercard, and an ejector apparatus pivotably coupled to one end ofthe socket;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the ejector apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view through the socket of FIG. 1illustrating the position of the ejector and the daughtercard after thedaughtercard is completely inserted into the socket;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating theejection of the daughtercard from the socket using the ejector of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 3 furtherillustrating the configuration of the ejector apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a socket 10 of thepresent invention. Socket 10 includes a housing 12 formed to include anelongated slot 14 therein for receiving a daughtercard 16. Socketincludes a plurality of contacts 18 for engaging conductive surfaces(not shown) on daughtercard 16 when daughtercard 16 is inserted intosocket 10. Both ends of socket 10 are formed to include an opening 20having an identical configuration for receiving an ejector 22 therein.An ejector 22 is pivotably coupled to each end of socket 10 withinopening 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates one ejector 22 which is configured to retain andeject one end of daughtercard 16 adjacent ejector 22. The ejector at theopposite end of socket 10 is a mirror image of ejector 22. Ejector 22includes a body portion 24 and a head 26 formed integrally with bodyportion 24 to facilitate pivotal movement of ejector 22. Head 26provides a "finger shelf" on which to push when actuating ejector 22. Apair of axles 28 are formed on opposite sides of body portion 24. Axles28 define a pivot axis 30 which is generally perpendicular to elongatedslot 14 formed along a longitudinal axis of socket 10. Body portion 24of ejector 22 is formed to include a slot 32 therein for receiving anend edge portion 34 of daughtercard 16 as daughtercard 16 is insertedinto socket 10. A bottom surface 36 of ejector 22 is configured toengage a bottom surface 38 of daughtercard 16 as daughtercard 16 isinserted into socket 10. Body portion 24 includes first and second sidepanels 40 and 42 which are spaced apart to define slot 32 therebetween.Body portion includes a single locking head 44 configured to engage asemi-circular notch 46 formed in end edge 34 of daughtercard 16. It isunderstood that more than one notch 46 may be formed in end edge 34 ofdaughtercard 16. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,847.

Illustratively, locking head 44 is formed integrally with first sidepanel 44 and separated from second side panel 42 by slot 44. Thispermits side panels 40 and 42 to move relative to each other to apply abiasing force to daughtercard 16 and discussed below in detail.

Ejector 22 is also formed to include a pair of raised surfaces 48 and 50formed on side panels 40 and 42, respectively. Raised surfaces 48 and 50include leading ramp portions 52 and 54, respectively. Ramps 52 and 54of raised surfaces 48 and 50, respectively, force side panels 40 and 42away from each other and permit daughtercard 16 to enter slot 32 duringinsertion of daughtercard 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration when daughtercard 16 fully insertedinto socket 10. In this configuration, locking head 44 enters notch 46formed in end edge 34 of daughtercard 16 to prevent daughtercard 16 frommoving vertically in the direction of arrow 56 relative to socket 10. Inthe fully inserted position of FIG. 3, bottom surface 38 of daughtercard16 abuts bottom surface 36 of ejector 22. Raised surfaces 48 and 50engage opposite sides of daughtercard 16 at a location spaced apart fromnotch 46 to apply a horizontal retention force in a direction generallyperpendicular or normal to daughtercard 16 to stabilize side-to-sidemovement of daughtercard 16 within socket 10. Therefore, locking head 44which engages notch 46 provides a vertical retention force ondaughtercard 16 in the direction of arrow 60 in FIG. 5 while opposedraised surfaces 48 and 50 apply a horizontal or normal retention forceto daughtercard 16.

When it is desired to eject daughtercard 16 from socket 10, ejector 22is rotated in the direction of arrow 58 in FIG. 4 so that bottom surface36 of ejector 22 applies a force to bottom surface 38 of daughtercard 16to move daughtercard 16 out of socket 10 in the direction of arrow 56.It is understood that an ejector 22 located at each end of socket 10 isrotated to eject both ends of daughtercard 16.

When it is desired to insert daughtercard 16 into socket 10, ejectors 22are moved to the open position illustrated in FIG. 4. Daughtercard 16 isthen inserted into socket in the direction of arrow 60. When bottomsurface 38 of daughtercard 16 engages bottom surface 36 of ejector 22,ejector 22 begins to rotate about axles 28 in the direction of arrow 62.Daughtercard 16 has a thickness less than the thickness of slot 32 butgreater than the distance separating raised surfaces 48 and 50 asillustrated in FIG. 5. Therefore, as ejector 22 rotates in the directionof arrow 62 during insertion of daughtercard 16, end edge 34 ofdaughtercard 16 engages ramps 52 and 54 of raised surfaces 48 and 50,respectively, to force side panels 40 and 42 away from each other in thedirections of arrows 64 in FIG. 5 to permit daughtercard 16 to enterslot 32. As ejector 22 continues to rotate in the direction of arrow 62,ejector 22 moves to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 so that lockinghead 44 enters notch 46. First and second side panels 40 and 42 formspring arms to apply a normal retention force through raised surfaces 48and 50, respectively, in the direction of arrows 66 upon insertion ofdaughtercard 16 into socket 10.

It is understood that ejector 22 is used only with daughtercard 16having a suitable notch 46. Use with daughtercards which do not have thenotch 46 would cause locking head 44 to hit the end edge 34 ofdaughtercard and prevent full insertion of daughtercard 16 into socket10.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to acertain preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim:
 1. An ejector apparatus for an electrical connector socketwhich is formed to include an elongated slot for receiving adaughtercard, the socket having a plurality of electrical terminalsconfigured to engage a plurality of conductive surfaces formed on thedaughtercard for electrically coupling the daughtercard to the socket,the daughtercard having an end edge formed to include a notch therein,the ejector apparatus comprising a body including a head configured toenter the notch formed in the end edge of the daughtercard to provide afirst retention force on the daughtercard, at least one spring armconfigured to apply a second retention force to at least one sidesurface of the daughtercard upon insertion of the daughtercard into thesocket, and a surface configured to eject an end of the daughtercardadjacent the ejector out of the elongated slot upon movement of theejector body relative to the socket.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the body includes first and second spring arms configured toapply retention forces to opposite side surfaces of the daughtercardupon insertion of the daughtercard into the socket.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the ejector body includes first and second side panelsdefining a slot therebetween for receiving the end edge of thedaughtercard therein.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first andsecond side panels are formed to include a first and second raisedsurfaces, respectively, which are configured to engage opposite sidesurfaces of the daughtercard.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein thefirst and second raised surfaces each include a leading ramp surface. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring arm isconfigured to engage the at least one side surface of the daughtercardupon insertion of the daughtercard into the socket to apply the secondretention force.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ejector bodyis pivotably coupled to an end of the socket, the ejector body beingmovable from an upright retention position for retaining thedaughtercard in the socket to an outwardly pivoted ejection position toforce the end edge of the daughtercard adjacent the ejector body out ofthe elongated slot.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ejectorbody includes a pair of axles formed on opposite sides of the body, theaxles defining a pivot axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the socket.9. An ejector apparatus configured to be coupled to an electricalconnector socket which is formed to include an elongated slot forreceiving a daughtercard, the daughtercard having a bottom surfaceconfigured to enter the slot in a vertical direction and an end edgeformed to include a notch, the socket having a plurality of electricalterminals configured to engage a plurality of conductive surfaces formedon the daughtercard for electrically coupling the daughtercard to thesocket, the ejector apparatus comprising a head configured to enter thenotch to retain the daughtercard in the vertical direction, a first armand a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, the first arm beingconfigured to provide a retention force substantially perpendicular tothe daughtercard upon insertion of the daughtercard into the socket, thesecond arm configured to provide a retention force to the daughtercardopposite to the retention force of the first arm, and an ejectingsurface configured to eject the daughtercard from the elongated slotupon movement of the ejector relative to the socket.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the first and second arms each engage a surface ofthe daughtercard.
 11. The ejector apparatus of claim 9, wherein thefirst and second arms are spaced apart to define a slot for receivingthe end edge of the daughtercard.
 12. The ejector apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first and second arms each include a raised surface.
 13. Theejector apparatus of claim 12, wherein the raised surfaces each includea leading ramp surface configured to engage the daughtercard tofacilitate insertion of the daughtercard into the socket.
 14. Theejector apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ejector is pivotally coupledto an end of the socket, the ejector being movable from an uprightretention position for retaining the daughtercard in the socket to anoutwardly pivoted ejection position to force the end of the daughtercardadjacent the ejector out of the elongated slot.